Thursday, March 17, 2011

Personality/Interest Assessment

ASSESSMENTS REVIEW SHEET


For this assignment, you will use the results from your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory (SII) assessments to determine some particular occupations and majors to research.


MBTI Report


1. List your reported type. (Example: ESTJ)


ISTJ


2. According to your report, what are some of the characteristics that best describe your personality type?


Extremely dependable, realistic, absorb facts, careful about accuracy, like everything clearly stated, go beyond the call of duty, like to be rewarded for organization/accuracy. Logical, analytical, practical, systematic.


3. Refer to the list of the 50 most popular occupations page or go to http://www.careervoyages.gov/top50occupations-main.cfm Read the list of occupations, circle the ones that you would like to explore, and list them below.


I couldn’t get the website to work, but I think I found the list on another site...

I would like to explore:

  • Nursing
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education


4. How do you believe the occupations you have chosen to explore fit with your personality preferences? Explain how these occupations allow you to work in your preferred work environment.


The occupations I have chosen from the 50 most popular occupations list are not necessarily the ones I am most interested in. I have thought about Nursing previously, but am leaning toward other things. The only reason I would do secondary education would be to teach science or spanish...but even then, it would be a stretch to say that those are careers that I am REALLY interested in. The ones I am currently interested in were not on that list.

But, if I had to choose reasons why I would pick the occupations from the list, it would be because both Nursing and teaching require individuals who are hard-working and self-motivated. They are professions where people don’t work for the money, but for the satisfaction of seeing the difference they can make in the lives of others. They allow you, to a degree, to work on your own timetable and to be very organized.


SII Report


5. List your general occupational theme code. (Example EAS)


SIA (Social, Investigative, Artistic)



6. List your 5 Basic Interests Scales and determine what type of interest they represent from the following: vocational, educational, leisure activities, personal interest. (Examples might include: religion-personal interest, teaching-leisure, healthcare-vocational)


TOP 5 INTEREST AREAS:

  • Religion and Spirituality-- Personal Interest
  • Healthcare Services-- Vocational
  • Counseling-- Vocational
  • Social Sciences-- Leisure Activities
  • Culinary Arts-- Leisure Activities


7. Refer to pages 5, 6, and 7 of your SII profile. Look at all the occupational scales you scored highest in (generally 40 or above), or that have a combination of your theme code. List the occupations from the scales that you might like to research.


SOCIAL:

  • Speech Pathologist
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Registered Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Foreign Language Teacher
  • Recreational Therapist


INVESTIGATIVE:

  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Dietician


ARTISTIC:

  • Photographer
  • Translator (Interpreter)


REALISTIC:

  • Horticulturist


8. For the following questions refer to Personal Style Scales on page 8 of your SII profile.


A. Look at your “Work Style” rating. What does your score suggest to you in relation to the occupations you listed above?


I scored a 53 in this area which means that I can go either way. I am okay working on my own. I enjoy data and ideas, and I am sometimes reserved. On the other hand, I also enjoy working with and helping people. I can be social when I want to. The careers I have chosen above are a mix of the two categories. Some would require me to work primarily alone, while others would provide a more social atmosphere.


B. Look at your “Learning Environment” rating. How do the educational requirements of the occupations you listed fit with your interest to pursue additional training?


I prefer practical learning environments. I learn by doing and prefer short-term training when achieving a goal/skill. The occupations I listed require hands-on training and active learning environments. This is good because I get bored quickly if I am made to learn only through academic learning, such as listening to lectures and reading textbooks.


C. Look at your “Leadership Style” rating. How do these occupations fit your personal style?


I disagree with the leadership style rating. I says that I am not comfortable taking charge of others; that I prefer to do the job myself instead of directing others. I know, both from personal experience and other personality tests, that this is not the case. I am a natural leader. Sometimes it gets me into trouble, but for the most part, it’s a good trait to have.


Both in my work environment and at home, I seek opportunities to lead. I like to lead by example and give directions to others. Although I sometimes prefer to work alone, I am comfortable taking charge of and motivating others. The careers I am interested in require someone that is self-motivated and, to some degree, able to work on their own.


D. Look at your “Risk Taking/Adventure” rating. Explain how the occupations do or do not match your risk taking style.


I don’t like taking risks, but I do like to be challenged academically and mentally by my work. I am careful about my decisions, but make them fairly quickly, and sometimes even compulsively. I love creativity and originality, but would rather try the idea after someone else has tested it out, than be the guinea pig.



9. What college majors are suggested for your theme code that you find interesting?


Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Recreation, Secondary Education, ESL Teaching, Dietetics/Nutrition, Geology, Science Education, Humanities, Foreign Languages


  • Of your top 10 occupations, list 3 you are most interested in and the educational

preparation required for each.


1. Occupational Therapist

Educational Preparation: Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts, plus a teaching certificate.


2. Recreational Therapist

Educational Preparation: Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy


3. Registered Nurse

Associate or Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing



10. Occupations not listed on MBTI or SII


List any occupations you are interested in that were not listed on your MBTI or SII reports.


Public Health is a major that wasn’t listed on the test results. I’m not entirely sure what occupations I could do with that, but it’s something I’m interested in exploring.


11. Meet with a Career Counselor at CACC


Make an appointment to review your assessment reports with a career counselor in Career and Academic Counseling (LC402 or contact by phone: 801-863-8425).



  • List any comments or suggestions made by the counselor regarding selection of a career or major and/or your assessment results.


Nancy helped me figure out, via Wolverine Track, what classes to take in order to complete my Associate’s in Science (I’m almost done!). She noticed class credits that could be applied that I was not aware of. She also introduced me to a great website that will be very helpful in researching careers (O*NET). We explored some career options that were listed in my assessment results and she encouraged me to continue to research careers that interest me in order to narrow down my options.


I wasn’t surprised with the results of the assessments. Nancy helped me realize, however, that I am indecisive due to the lack of information I have on the careers I’m interested in. I know a lot about Nursing (I’ve worked in it for many years), but I’m not as familiar with Spanish Education, Geology/Science Education, or Occupational/Recreational Therapy. She helped me see that I need to spend time looking into these careers as well if I’m ever to make a decision.



Write the name of the counselor you met with and the date of your appointment.


Name Nancy Plagge Date 10/7/10

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Transferable Skills Letter

For a position as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit:


I embarked on my journey to become a Critical Care Nurse at the young age of 16. Working at a local Care Center for the elderly, I developed a passion for helping others. It was during that time that I completed the requirements for and passed the state exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant. I have gained valuable experience working in a variety of settings, including Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, Home Health Care, and the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I developed critical thinking skills and the ability to quickly solve problems as I helped mentally-challenged residents on a lock-down unit. The three years I have recently spent as a Critical Care Tech in the Intensive Care Unit have taught me how to respond compassionately and professionally in the most stressful of situations. I have experienced first-hand what is required of Critical Care Nurses, and am fully prepared to give my all to the patients, families, and fellow coworkers of the Intensive Care Unit. I look forward to learning with and from the Nurses, Doctors, and other members of the Intensive Care team.

Skills Assessment

3 skills that I enjoy: planning, organizing, problem-solving
3 skills I do well: persuading, reading, analyzing
3 skills I want to develop: decision-making, listening, patience

I think that the first step to learning the skills I don't currently have, is to recognize what skills I want to develop. I can then seek out people that possess them, and learn from them. The more I practice them, the more polished they will become. I want to get to the point where they are second nature to me.

According to both assessments, I would do well with the following careers: Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Programs Director, Health Director, Recreational Therapist, and a Vocational Education Teacher. I found this interesting because many of these were professions I had already considered. Many of them are still on my list of possible careers. Other careers, however, are closely related to those I have already explored, but I had never considered them to be possibilities.

Taking the assessments has helped me see that there are more possibilities in one career field than I originally thought. For example, I've always been interested in the healthcare field, but have limited myself to Nursing. Then, a couple years ago, I lost interest in Nursing and have been on a quest to find the perfect career. I still enjoy the healthcare field though, and thanks to this assessment, I now know what other options I can explore.

Using the skills I already have and developing those I don't could lead to more career options. If I am well-rounded in many areas, I will have an easier time finding employment and adapting to different work environments.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Top Ten Values

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1. Honesty is the most important value to me because I believe that relationships, whether personal or professional, depend entirely on your ability to trust someone. Honesty means being sincere and truthful in all your interactions with others. If trust cannot be established between two people, all other aspects of their relationship will suffer. Being honest will help me establish relationships of trust with future employers, coworkers, and clients.

2. Loyalty goes hand-in-hand with honesty. If someone is honest with you, you generally assume they will be loyal as well. True friends wouldn’t be friends if they spread rumors, talked behind your back, or weren’t willing to help you. The same can be said of employees. An employer wants employees who will be as loyal to the company as they are to their family and friends.

3. Service is essential to any good relationship. When you serve others you forget about yourself and your problems. Service means going above and beyond what you are required to do in order to help those around you. It gives you the opportunity, in the work place, to get to know those you work with/for and develop a closer relationship with them.

4. Compassion is a value that gets you through the rough spots and through the hard times in life. It is the bright spot in a gloomy day; a pick-me-up when you’re down. It lets others know you care about them and are concerned for their well-being. When those at home or in the work place are struggling, a little compassion will go a long way.

5. Diligence is what motivates you to finish a job, even when you’re tired and ready to quit. It allows you to keep plugging along, at whatever pace that may be, knowing that the end result will be worth the effort. Many jobs in the workplace will not be “enjoyable”, but they must get done, nonetheless. Being diligent at work will show your employer, and those around you, that you are indeed capable of thoroughly completing the most difficult of tasks.

6. Respect helps to strengthen the relationships you have already formed. It allows you to see and treat others how you would want to be treated. It is especially beneficial in the workplace due to the variety of personalities there. You will need to get along with all those you come in contact with.

7. Accountability means taking responsibility for both good and bad decisions. It means you own up to mistakes made and accept recognition for achievements. When you are accountable, those around you are more likely to trust you. It is something employers and clients alike look for in those they hire/choose to do business with.

8. Teamwork makes it possible to work well with others. It makes for a more cohesive work environment. It is learned at a young age in the home and at school, and is continued in the workplace. Being a team player, especially with those your coworkers, will allow you to accomplish more as a whole and grow together in the process.

9. Efficiency is the ability to use time wisely. Each of us is given the same 24 hours in the day to get things done. Those who use time efficiently are able to get more done. Time=money. Efficiency in the workplace is important because employers are always on a tight budget and looking for ways to save money. And happy employers make for happier employees.

10. Leadership can be seen in many different. Natural leaders are self-motivated. They take the initiative to solve problems when they arise. This is important because being leaders like this are needed in the workplace, but leadership skills do not come easily to many people. Those that possess them are at an advantage and have opportunities for growth that their peers/coworkers may not have.

I feel like the values listed above are core values that have been around for thousands of years. We can read about them in religious material and other literature. The percentage of people that possess these values, however, diminishes with every rising generation. I definitely think the youth today don’t have as much respect, honesty, and accountability that youth did in past years. The people have changed, but the values still remain the same. I don’t think core values will change in the future, because if they haven’t changed in thousands of years, why would they change now?

Mission Statement

1. Past Successes:


a. obtained my Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) license at the age of 16

b. served a full-time mission for the LDS Church

c. developed the Critical Care Tech training program for the Intensive Care Unit of Utah Valley Regional Medical Center

d. created my current job position in the Neuro/Shock Trauma Unit of the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center


Themes: Successes all relate to leadership skills and the ability to enhance learning opportunities for myself and others.


2. Core Values:


  • Hardworking
  • Self-motivated
  • Honest
  • Reliable
  • Outgoing
  • Compassionate
  • Analytical
  • Passionate
  • Family-oriented
  • Positive
  • Intelligent
  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving


Most important values:


  • Compassionate
  • Honest
  • Analytical
  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving


Most important value:


  • Creativity


3. Identify Contributions:


  • my family: to compassionately serve both immediate and extended family members; to be a good wife and loving mother; to leave the world a better place for my future posterity.
  • my employer or future employers: to go above and beyond in providing exceptional service for both clients and fellow employees; to creatively solve problems; to be a compassionate leader.
  • my friends: to be a loyal friend; to be there whenever they need me; to serve them at every opportunity.
  • my community and church: to use my talents to better the world and those around me, whether it be in my neighborhood, church congregation, or to complete strangers of the community.


4. Identify Goals:


Short-term: To choose a career that will help me develop my talents; to fulfill the education requirements needed for my future career.


Long-term: To continue developing talents and skills to further my career and help in the future job positions I will hold; to expand my job experience in my career of choice.


5. Mission Statement:


To passionately live life to the fullest, dedicating my time and talents to help family, friends, and future employers, and to better the world around me.